Mailing and Postage Information

Photo and Video Model Releases

Minor
Model Release - for use when your model is under the
age of 18. This form requires a signature from the
model's parent or legal guardian.

Guest
Speaker Release - for use when you would like to
photograph or video tape a guest speaker/lecturer.

Why you need a model releases:

A release is a written agreement between you, the
University and the person you are photographing or the person
who owns the property you are photographing. The purpose of
the release is to protect you, and the University, from any
future lawsuits the person might file for claims such as
defamation and invasion of privacy.

A model release affirms that the person being photographed
has given consent to be photographed and to the use of the
images you capture. It doesn’t just apply to
professional models or situations where people know they are
posing for photos. You should seek to get a signed model
release any time that your photos contain recognizable images
of people, unless you are certain that you will never want to
use them for anything other than editorial purposes.

The releases you obtain should be saved forever and should
be linked in some way with the photographs to which they
relate. You can expect to be asked to produce them whenever
you license an image, and you will need them if you ever have
to defend yourself in court.

When do I need a model release?

Model releases are used mainly because of rights of
privacy. Those are matters of state law, so you could have
very different answers depending on whether you are talking
about Florida, New York or California. Some states also have
rights of publicity, and if your subject is a celebrity or a
public figure, you may have some additional restrictions.

The basic, general rule is that you need a release from
people to use photographs showing a recognizable likeness of
them for purposes of trade or advertising. The other side of
the general rule is that you usually do not need a release
for strictly editorial uses.

So the first question is whether the person is
recognizable from the photo. If not, you don't need a
release. Whether a person is recognizable is generally a very
easy standard for the person making the claim to meet.

If the person is recognizable, the second question is
whether the proposed use is for an advertisement (which is
very broadly defined). If it is, then you need a release. If
it is not, then you go to the next question.

That question is whether the use is for a commercial
purpose, such as a brochure, product packaging, a calendar,
or a website that is intended to enhance or promote your
department, program, the University, etc. If it is, then you
need a release.